Make Your Own Party PiÑata
Piñatas can be a fun addition to any party. Guests young and old enjoy taking turns whacking at a piñata to release the treats held inside.
Many party stores carry a selection of piñatas that may fit the theme of the party. However, store-bought piñatas tend to be expensive. It's relatively easy to make one's own piñata from some simple ingredients that may already be in the home.
Piñatas need to be constructed from a material that is both solid enough to hold together but fragile enough to eventually be broken open. Papier mâche tends to be the construction material of choice when making homemade piñatas.
The papier mâche process can be messy and time-consuming, but it's also a fun craft project to do with children. Plus, individuals can stretch their creative wings and create a piñata that truly matches their theme. Here's how to get started.
Supplies:
- white glue or flour
- water
- strips of newspaper or other paper
- bowl
- old tablecloth
- balloons
- heavy-duty twine
- paints, markers and other decorating supplies
- Mix two-parts glue with one-part water in a bowl for a glue-based mixture. Or use two-parts water to one-part flour for a flour-based paste mixture. (Allow flour-based pastes to dry completely between layers or mold may grow. Some say adding a bit of salt to the mixture will inhibit mold growth.)
- Tear up newspaper or brown mailing paper into small strips. Cut edges won't blend as easily, so avoid using scissors.
- Blow up a balloon to your desired size and cover with dry newspaper. Tie the newspaper in place with the twine. Dip the strips of newspaper into the paste and apply, overlapping, until the balloon is completely covered, except for a small hole to add the treats. Allow to dry and place other layers until desired thickness is achieved.
- Tie a piece of twine around the balloon to serve as your hanging string and cover with strips of papier mâche. Allow to dry.
- Use a pin to pop the balloon inside of the creation. Pull out the balloon, if possible.
- Paint and embellish the piñata depending on your creature or theme.
- Fill the piñata with your treats and then seal up with a little more papier mâche or masking tape that has been painted to match the color of the rest of the piñata.
- Hang the piñata and allow the party guests to take their turns.
Note: For less violent piñata parties, make the piñata with a small hatch that is rigged to a string. Put dummy strings of the same length in the bottom of the piñata. Guests can take turns pulling the strings, but only the right string will trigger the fall of the candy.
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